Luke 21

 

 

  1. Overview
    1. How often do you think about the end of the world?

                                                               i.      Often enough... the events of our day seem to indicate we’re getting closer and closer. Much more discussion of a “global” economy; stock market now regularly trades in other exchanges.

  1. Luke 21:1-4
    1. Judging from Jesus’ words, how does God measure the worth of what we give to him? Why do you think he evaluates our giving in this way?

                                                               i.      God measures our MOTIVE for giving

1.       The widow gave a freewill offering (LANTC); this was not a required tax but a gift on her part.

2.       The widow gave in an unpretentious manner; while the wealthy would call attention to their gifts, the widows small amount would have been unknown except for Jesus’ attention.

                                                             ii.      God is pleased with our SACRIFICIAL GIVING; when we give “out of our surplus” it is not really sacrificial giving.

1.       Sacrifice = “an act of offering to a deity something precious”

                                                            iii.      God doesn’t value our money or possessions – he values our hearts. The most valuable thing we have is our heart. He frequently tells us to heal and protect our hearts.

    1. What attitude or motivation would prompt someone to give all they have to God’s work?

                                                               i.      A clear understanding of God’s ability to provide everything we need.

1.       “Man does not live on bread alone but every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

                                                             ii.      A clear understanding of how much we have been given, and that our sacrificial offerings are so much less than what we’ve received.

                                                            iii.      A clear understanding of how good God is – he is worthy of all praise and honor.

1.       Example of people who want to give something to someone very famous, They want to honor someone famous… buy a drink or somehow show recognition.

    1. Evaluate your own motivation for giving. Do you think Jesus would commend it? Why or why not?

                                                               i.      Try to give as much as I can; just this year I am able to give 10% of gross.

                                                             ii.      Try to give when the need arises; as situations come to light I try to realize that God may be calling me to give what I have to meet an immediate need.

    1. If you aren’t giving all that you can to God’s work, what is one step that you can take to increase your giving?

                                                               i.      I evaluate this regularly.

  1. Luke 21:5-38
    1. What passages seem to be referring to immediate historical events of the time?

                                                               i.       6, 12-24,

    1. What sections seem to be pointing to a future fulfillment culminating in Christs’s return?

                                                               i.      8-11, 25-28

    1. Which ones could overlap in their meaning?

                                                               i.      8-10

    1. What principles does Jesus give to guide to guide his followers in their actions and attitudes?

                                                               i.      v.8: don’t be mislead

                                                             ii.      v.9: don’t panic

                                                            iii.      v.13: take advantage of opportunity to witness

                                                           iv.      v.14-15: don’t worry about what to say (the right words will be given to you)

                                                             v.      v.19: stand firm against persecution and you will win your soul

                                                           vi.      v.20-24: do not seek refuge in Jerusalem

                                                         vii.      v.28: when the signs are pointing to the end of the age, be strong and alert for you salvation is near – I am coming.

                                                        viii.      Stay alert – don’t live carelessly; don’t get trapped into being consumed with worries about this life.

    1. How seriously do you take the teaching about Christ’s return? In what ways are you, personally, prepared for it?

                                                               i.      Take it very seriously… maybe more seriously than normal.

                                                             ii.      I work on my relationship with God; actively pursue God, and not just go thru the motions.

1.       Attending church, reading bible, praying as duty instead of a relationship.

    1. In what ways have you allowed the secular world’s attitude toward life to influence your own attitudes, lifestyle, and thoughts about the future.

                                                               i.      INFLUENCE

1.       …the capacity or power of persons or things to be a compelling force on or produce effects the actions, behavior, opinions, etc., of others (dictionary.com)

2.       …the power or capacity of causing an effect in indirect or intangible ways (merriamwebster.com)

                                                             ii.      My influences…

1.       Wanting to take vengeance

2.       Multicultural dilution of the truth; allowing untruths to remain unchallenged

3.       Divorce

4.       Appearances; wanting to look younger

    1. What do you need to do to be careful and “on the watch” (verse 36)?

                                                               i.      Put God first in everything, particularly my spare time.

                                                             ii.      Actively pursue God; make Him a priority in my life.